New Beginnings

The soft clatter of utensils echoed in the kitchen as Poornima stirred the sambar, her eyes absentmindedly watching the bubbling pot. The aroma of the evening meal filled the air, mingling with the soft music playing in the background.

Just then, two warm arms wrapped around her waist from behind — Veeresh’s familiar hold, the way he always did when he returned home.

> “Smells good… but I have something even better,” he whispered, resting his chin on her shoulder.

Poornima smiled gently, “What now, Veeresh?”

He turned her slightly to face him, eyes glowing with a fire she hadn’t seen in a while.

> “I’m quitting my job,” he said, watching her expression carefully. “I’m starting my own company. A product startup… I’ve been planning it for months. The papers are ready. Funding talks already in motion. And I’m finally doing it.”

Poornima froze for a second.

Her mind raced — the stability, the risks, the uncertainties. IBM was a prestigious job, steady income. And this… this was a leap. A huge one.

But then she looked at him — his excitement was real, his voice full of conviction, and his face lit up like a child chasing a dream.

She took a moment, inhaled deeply, and placed her palm on his cheek.

> “Go ahead, Veeresh. I believe in you.”

His eyes softened instantly. He wasn’t expecting her to say it so easily. He was ready to convince her, to argue if needed. But her quiet trust hit deeper than any words could.

> “Really?” he asked.

> “Yes. Just one thing… Don’t give up. No matter what.”

Veeresh smiled — wide, boyish, and full of gratitude. He leaned in, kissed her cheek gently, and whispered:

> “Thank you, Poornima. You always make me feel unstoppable.”

After freshening up, Veeresh spent the next hour on a call with his old friend, excitedly discussing the office space, hiring the first engineer, and registering the company name. From across the hall, Poornima watched him, quietly cooking and setting the table for two — their usual shared plate.

She didn’t say much, but in her heart, she lit a silent prayer.

> Let him win. Let his dream fly. Let me be his strength.

As they sat down to eat, he fed her the first bite, a silent thank-you in the form of food. She, in turn, offered him the last piece of paratha — their own love language in morsels.

Later that night, they lay on the bed. Veeresh was already asleep, his body half on top of hers, his arm resting firm across her stomach, possessive even in dreams. His head burrowed into the crook of her neck like it belonged there forever.

Poornima couldn’t move. But she didn’t want to.

She looked at the ceiling, her hand slowly brushing his hair.

> I’ll stand by you, Veeresh. Through every risk, every fall, every win. I’ll be your shadow, your strength, your home.

With that final thought, she let her eyes drift closed.

Together, they were not perfect — but they were becoming unbreakable.